Merkle APAC names new president

Merkle, a technology-enabled, data-driven performance marketing agency, has appointed Zhengda Shen president of Merkle Asia Pacific.This appointment is the company’s latest push to accelerate its global growth in the APAC region since joining Dentsu Aegis Network in August 2016. Under Shen’s leadership, Merkle has the ambition to staff 1,000 employees in APAC by the end of 2017.As the president of Asia Pacific, Shen will drive Merkle’s growth by focusing on the development of its fully integrated people-based marketing capabilities, acquisitions in the region, and strategic channel partnerships in technology and media. He will also be responsible for acculturation and integration of new APAC acquisitions into Merkle.According to a press statement from the company, since joining Merkle in 2000, Shen has made enormous contributions to Merkle’s business. He has held various executive leadership roles inclusive of his most recent role leading the company’s Global Marketing Solutions Group, a $300+MM, 1,600 employees operating unit providing data, analytics, and technology solutions.“Given Shen's 17-year history with Merkle, he is uniquely positioned to provide the leadership that we need in and across Asia Pacific as Merkle continues to create competitive differentiation for global brands. I could not be more pleased that he’s accepted the opportunity to spearhead and to champion our growth in this region,” said David Williams, CEO of Merkle.“We see a great opportunity to bring this capability to Asian markets, and to create value for clients by working closely with other Dentsu Aegis Network resources. Z will join our regional leadership team as we start to bring the Merkle brand and business to Asia Pacific,” said Nick Waters, CEO Asia Pacific at Dentsu Aegis Network.Shen added, “I’m thrilled to lead Merkle’s expansion in Asia Pacific and to continue building on the momentum of evolving our global footprint as a member of the Dentsu Aegis Network. Our fully integrated suite of data, analytic, technology, media, and creative services, combined with our people-based marketing solutions, uniquely positions us to deliver unparalleled value for our clients in Asia Pacific.”